| Wine has been associated with celebration and | | | | from direct light. Another option is to refrigerate |
| merriment since ancient times and with good | | | | your bottles, which can be done in a specialized |
| reason. Both literally and figuratively intoxicating, | | | | wine refrigerator or in the door of your regular |
| this beverage can enhance a meal and be a treat | | | | refrigerator. Either way, make sure to take out |
| in itself. But it helps to know a bit about wine and | | | | whites and blushes an hour or two before serving |
| how to serve it before relishing it with friends | | | | as it will still be chilled but not too cold. Reds are |
| over a meal. | | | | traditionally served near room temperature, so it |
| There are three basic categories of wine: rose, | | | | is recommended to take out reds from the |
| white and red. Roses, also known as blush wines, | | | | refrigerator a full day before serving. Also make |
| are actually made from red grapes but only have | | | | sure to have some small wine stoppers if you |
| short-term contact with the grape skin during the | | | | don't plan on consuming the entire bottle in one |
| wine-making process which makes them a pink | | | | sitting, which makes for easy storage. |
| color. These wines are sweet and easy to drink | | | | When serving the wine with the meal, make sure |
| for the new wine drinker. White wines are made | | | | to enjoy the presentation. Clear wine glasses allow |
| with no contact with the grape skins, giving them | | | | the drinker to fully view the color of the wine just |
| a color ranging from a soft straw yellow to a | | | | as a wide-mouthed glass will allow a better sample |
| golden hue. Whites tend to be semi-sweet with | | | | of the bouquet (or fragrance). You can even |
| notes of citrus, melon, or floral flavors. Red wines, | | | | make the presentation more festive with wine |
| on the other hand, are made with full contact with | | | | charms, small decorative charms that can be hung |
| the grape skin giving these wines colors ranging | | | | off the neck of the wine bottle or the stem of |
| from cherry red to a purple or brick red. Red | | | | the wine glass. |
| wines have the greatest range of flavors from | | | | Finally, when you get around to drinking your |
| semi-sweet to bitter with tones of spice, floral, | | | | wine, make sure to pair it with some |
| fruit or even wood. | | | | complimentary foods. While there are no hard and |
| Each of these categories of wine can have a | | | | fast rules on the subject anymore, there are |
| range of finishes. Light-bodied wines wash down | | | | some guidelines which will help the new wine |
| like water while full-bodied wines leave a feeling | | | | drinker figure out complimentary palettes. |
| similar to finishing a glass of milk. It can also leave | | | | Light-bodied wines like most Pinot Noirs, Pinot |
| a bitter or sweet taste in your mouth that may | | | | Grigios and some Chardonnays will go well with |
| endure or quickly fade away. All of these qualities | | | | salads, leaner meats, chicken, and salmon. |
| will help you determine what kind of food to | | | | Medium-bodied wines like most Merlots and |
| serve with the wine so they compliment each | | | | Zinfandels do well with medium to heavier foods |
| other, bringing out the best and fullest flavors. | | | | like stews, beef, lamb, medium cheeses, pastas |
| Now that you know a bit about your wine | | | | and heartier white fish like tuna. Full-bodied wines |
| options, make sure you can properly store it. | | | | like some Chardonnays and Cabernets compliment |
| There is a wide selection of storage options | | | | heavy foods best like steaks, stews and creamy |
| including wall mounted and countertop wine racks | | | | sauces. But, of course, if you find a varietal you |
| as well as wine caddies, all of which are best for | | | | absolutely love, by all means pair it with your |
| traditionally corked wines as they keep the bottle | | | | favorite dish. Don't feel limited by the guidelines - |
| horizontal. An unusual wine rack can not only | | | | just view them as suggestions to figure out how |
| store your wine properly, but also become a | | | | you will most enjoy some fabulous wine and food |
| quick conversation piece. But remember it is best | | | | pairings. |
| to place your wine rack in a cool, dark spot away | | | | |